Resource Lifecycle Management

Resource lifecycle management in ArgoCD encompasses a comprehensive set of sync options that control how resources are created, updated, and deleted during the sync process.

Core Sync Options

1. Pruning Control

   metadata:
     annotations:
       argocd.argoproj.io/sync-options: Prune=false
  • Prune=false: Prevents ArgoCD from deleting resources
  • PruneLast=true: Deletes resources only after all other sync operations complete
  • PrunePropagationPolicy=(foreground|background|orphan): Controls how dependent resources are handled during deletion
    • foreground: Dependent resources are deleted first (cascading delete)
    • background: Dependent resources deleted asynchronously
    • orphan: Dependent resources are not deleted

2. Update Strategies

   metadata:
     annotations:
       argocd.argoproj.io/sync-options: Replace=true
  • Replace=true: Forces resource replacement instead of patching
  • ApplyOutOfSyncOnly=true: Only sync resources that are out of sync
  • Retry=true: Attempts to retry failed sync operations

3. Validation and Finalization

   metadata:
     annotations:
       argocd.argoproj.io/sync-options: SkipSchemaValidation=true
       argocd.argoproj.io/sync-options: RespectIgnoreDifferences=true
  • SkipSchemaValidation=true: Bypasses Kubernetes schema validation
  • RespectIgnoreDifferences=true: Honors ignore difference configurations
  • DeletePropagation=foreground: Controls how deletions propagate to dependent objects

4. Finalizer Management

   metadata:
     annotations:
       argocd.argoproj.io/sync-options: DeleteOptions.PropagationPolicy=background
       argocd.argoproj.io/sync-options: DeleteOptions.GracePeriodSeconds=10
  • SetDeletionFinalizers=true/false: Controls whether ArgoCD manages finalizers
  • Finalizers ensure proper cleanup before resource deletion

Implementation Patterns

1. Selective Pruning Strategy

apiVersion: argoproj.io/v1alpha1
kind: Application
metadata:
  name: my-app
spec:
  syncPolicy:
    automated:
      prune: true  # Enable automated pruning
      selfHeal: true  # Enable drift correction
    syncOptions:
    - PruneLast=true  # Prune after all syncs complete
    - PrunePropagationPolicy=foreground  # Cascading deletion

2. Safe Update Pattern

apiVersion: argoproj.io/v1alpha1
kind: Application
metadata:
  name: my-app
spec:
  syncPolicy:
    syncOptions:
    - ApplyOutOfSyncOnly=true  # Only update changed resources
    - Validate=false  # Skip validation for specific cases
    - RespectIgnoreDifferences=true  # Honor ignore rules

Advanced Use Cases

1. Stateful Application Management

  • Use Replace=false to preserve PVC data
  • Implement PruneLast=true for safe database updates
  • Configure appropriate finalizers for data protection

2. Large-Scale Deployments

  • ApplyOutOfSyncOnly=true for performance optimization
  • Retry=true for handling transient failures
  • Careful propagation policy selection for complex dependencies

3. Legacy Application Support

  • SkipSchemaValidation=true for non-standard resources
  • RespectIgnoreDifferences=true for handling dynamic fields
  • Custom finalizer management for special cleanup requirements

Best Practices

1. Resource Protection

  • Carefully consider pruning policies
  • Use finalizers for critical resources
  • Implement appropriate grace periods

2. Performance Optimization

  • Selectively apply sync options
  • Balance automation vs. manual control
  • Monitor sync operation impact

3. Troubleshooting

  • Monitor sync operation logs
  • Understand propagation policies
  • Track finalizer completion

4. Common Pitfalls

  • Avoid mixing incompatible sync options
  • Consider dependencies when setting propagation policies
  • Test complex sync strategies in non-production first